Chapter Twenty-Four

“I HAVE TO LEAVE FOR GREECE TOMORROW.”

Acacia looked up from her breakfast, her spoon in midair. “Sorry?”

Nicholas pulled out the chair next to her and sat. He placed a napkin across his lap. “I have to travel to Greece on business. I’d like you to come with me.”

She shook her head. “I’m going home.”

“Your apartment isn’t habitable.”

“I’ll stay with a friend.”

Irritation flared across Nicholas’s face. “People are after you. Until we identify and neutralize the threat, you’re in danger.”

“What about Marcel’s journal? Isn’t it helpful?”

“I’m afraid not. I have someone analyzing it, but Marcel wrote in shorthand.”

“Then why were those men so intent on recovering it?”

“I hope to find out.” He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome to stay here. But I could use your help.”

“What kind of help?”

“As I said when we met at the KLH offices, my executive assistant can no longer travel with me. I could use an extra set of eyes and ears. I may need you to act as an interpreter.

“It will be a short trip—only a few days and a couple of meetings. But it will give you a chance to see what I do.”

“You still want me to be your assistant?”

He frowned. “Of course.”

She put down her spoon. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to work together.”

He looked very displeased. “I thought we were allies.”

“We are. But I need to focus on finding a job for the long term.”

“I’ve just offered you one.” He sounded exasperated.

Stubbornly, she continued to eat breakfast.

He leaned forward. “You know it’s better for your curriculum vitae to resign a post than to be fired.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“You’ll be paid well. My security team will travel with us. You’ll have separate, private accommodations, and you’ll probably have some time to explore while I’m in meetings.”

It was her turn to frown. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but do you know when my apartment will be finished?”

“It will take a few days. They’re going to need to repair the walls in addition to the damage to the kitchen. We can call the contractor after breakfast, and you can speak to him directly.”

“Thank you.”

Nicholas sat back in his chair and poured himself a cup of coffee from a French press. He peered over at the mocha-colored liquid in Acacia’s cup. “I thought you drank your coffee black.”

“Not at breakfast.”

“Ah.” He picked up a piece of brioche and began slathering it with butter and apricot jam.

Acacia lifted her coffee cup. “I don’t think I can return to the Victoire after everything that’s happened.”

Nicholas chewed his brioche thoughtfully. He swallowed. “I think that’s wise.”

“I probably shouldn’t press my luck by calling in sick again today, which means I’ll have to send a letter of resignation.”

“Tell them you’ve received a better offer from CI Paris and will be starting immediately.”

“CI Paris?”

“The Paris office of one of our wealth management companies. Your contract will be with them. I’ll have the director apply for your temporary work permit, as well as an EU Blue Card.”

Acacia looked out over the grounds to where the Alps were visible above the trees. Majestic, snow-covered mountains rose against a blue sky, with only the barest wisp of cloud hanging above them.

Mountains didn’t have to worry about employment, or supporting their mothers, or persistent Swiss businessmen who clearly had a weakness for brioche and apricot jam.

“You have a job offer on the table,” Nicholas’s low voice continued. “Working with me will buy us time to find out who is after the journal.”

He cleared his throat. “You said last night I needed new friends.”

Her eyes met his.

“Be my friend, Acacia.”

“You’re friendly with your assistants?”

“My current assistant has been with me almost ten years. I’m going to be the godfather of her first child later this year.”

“You don’t look like a godfather.”

He lifted his arm over his head. “I’m not tall enough?”

She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. At six-foot-three, Nicholas was tall. But not too tall in her estimation.

“We will make a good team, Acacia.”

She sighed. “You helped me when I needed it. I’ll help you in return. But after Greece, I want to go home.”

“I’ll take you to Paris personally.”

“I’ll sign a contract, but I’d like us to agree that Greece is a trial period. I won’t accept any money, and we can both see if this is feasible longer term.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Nicholas interrupted. “How will you—”

“It isn’t ridiculous,” she interrupted in return. “We might discover we don’t work well together.”

“I doubt it.”

She frowned. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’ve seen your work ethic, and I’ve spent time with you. I’m a good judge of character, Acacia. I sized you up almost immediately.”

She placed her coffee cup on its saucer with loud thump. “You sized me up and asked for Marcel.”

“Because he was my contact.” Nicholas tossed his napkin on the table. “You turned around and suggested I donate those ridiculous items I bought for Silke to benefit hungry children.”

“And they did. I received an email from the organization telling me they raised thousands of Euros on your donation alone.”

“Precisely. Don’t you see? We already work well together.”

“What about your current assistant?”

Nicholas rubbed his eyes. “She’s on bed rest until the baby’s born. She had a scare and was in the hospital.”

“I’m sorry.” Acacia turned in her chair. “I’ll sign a contract, but I won’t accept a salary until after Greece. I need a trial period.”

“Fine,” Nicholas said grumpily. “I’ll have Madame Bishop send over your contract. Juliet has the number for the contractor in Paris. You can speak to him about his progress. After that, your first official task is to put together a wardrobe for a personal assistant. You’ll need formal wear, in addition to business attire.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is that a typical task?”

“At the beginning, yes. My current assistant was given a clothing allowance when she started. We have to make a certain impression, but it’s an impression I’ll gladly finance.”

“Really?”

“I thought you were a concierge, Acacia.” The edges of his lips twitched. “Surely this can’t be a difficult proposition?”

“Concierges don’t usually act as personal shoppers for themselves.”

His eyes twinkled. “Think of this as an opportunity to acquire a new skill set. I have a line of credit at several boutiques in Geneva. Juliet will give you the list, and she can accompany you, along with Kurt.

“I have to return to Zurich this morning. I won’t be back until late tonight. We’ll leave for Santorini tomorrow.”

Acacia felt a sudden pang of…something, at the thought of rambling around the large estate without him. She hid her reaction behind a restrained smile. “Did you say Santorini?”

“I did. Be sure to include athletic wear, in case we go to the beach.”

“The beach? Do you conduct business at the beach?”

He chuckled. “If I’m fortunate.”

“While you’re away, is there a place I can practice my martial arts?”

“Planning a work out, mademoiselle?”

She shrugged. “I try to practice every day. Don’t you?”

“Good point. There’s a small gymnasium that should suit your purposes. Juliet will show you where it is.”

“Thank you.”

Nicholas stood and touched her shoulder. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Acacia turned in her chair to watch her attractive new employer walk away.